Inaugural Walk for Hope raises $31,000 Tracy Hibbard Kasprzak Cancer Treatment Center
DOVER-FOXCROFT — More than 200 participants walked 3.1 miles (five kilometers) through Dover-Foxcroft on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 21 in the inaugural Walk for Hope. Walkers raised more than $31,000 — and counting — to support Northern Light Cancer Care services at the Tracy Hibbard Kasprzak Cancer Treatment Center at Northern Light Mayo Hospital.
The center is named in memory of a beloved daughter, sister, wife, grandmother, and nurse whose 15-year battle with cancer inspired patients, survivors, caregivers, and the community. The facility contains comfortable, private treatment spaces, a transfusion area, telemedicine capability, and private consultation rooms. Practitioners from Northern Light Cancer Care see patients locally so fewer patients must travel for care.
Before walkers began behind the hospital building on Dwelley Avenue, Northern Light Mayo Hospital President Marie Vienneau welcomed everyone. “Right now at Mayo Hospital we are providing cancer treatments that allow people to get care close to home and extend and improve their lives,” she said. “We’re very proud of our center that we have here and we are very grateful for all of you for coming out to support it.”
WALK FOR HOPE — The inaugural Walk for Hope on Sept. 21 featured more than 200 participants raising over $31,000 — and counting — to support the Tracy Hibbard Kasprzak Cancer Treatment Center at Northern Light Mayo Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft. Participants began behind the main hospital building on Dwelley Avenue to walk 3.1 miles through town.
“The money we raise today will help our patients with needs that go beyond the actual care that they receive here including supplemental nutrition and assistance with transportation,’ Vienneau said, mentioning the hospital’s Patient Assistance Fund. She asked walkers to think about what their participation in the Walk for Hope means to their friends and neighbors who are living with cancer.
“Today’s walk is held in memory of Tracy Hibbard Kasprzak whose 15-year journey with colon cancer ended at age 57 (in March 2014),” Vienneau said. She said Hibbard Kasprzak vowed never to give up during her treatments, going through radiation therapy, chemotherapy, major surgery, and experimental treatments searching for a cure at major oncology hospitals throughout the Northeast
“During this battle Tracy was sustained by her loving family and friends,” Vienneau said.
THANKS FOR COMING — Jane Hibbard Merrill thanks participants prior to the inaugural Walk for Hope on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 21 in Dover-Foxcroft. The event raised funds for the Tracy Hibbard Kasprzak Cancer Treatment Center at Northern Light Mayo Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft, named for Hibbard Merrill’s late daughter.
Shortly after Hibbard Kasprzak passed away in 2014, her family made a $250,000 memorial gift to help relocate and expand oncology services at the hospital. The Tracy Hibbard Kasprzak Cancer Treatment was dedicated in September 2017 and today it is the only cancer treatment center in the region.
Vienneau said Hibbard Kasprzak’s family was there that morning.
Hibbard Kasprzak’s mother Jane Hibbard Merrill — who along with her stepfather Charles A. Merrill are the Walk for Hope’s founding sponsors — thanked everyone for taking the time to be there and participate.
FOOT TRAFFIC — Over 200 participants walked through Dover-Foxcroft, including coming down Forest Street, during the inaugural Walk for Hope on Sept. 21 to benefit the Tracy Hibbard Kasprzak Cancer Treatment Center at Northern Light Mayo Hospital.
“This is our first walk as you know and it is going to be an annual walk,” Hibbard Merrill said. “Thank you all for coming and we will see you next year”
She thanked Hillary Starbird, director of community outreach and philanthropy at Northern Light Mayo Hospital, for helping organize the event.
Starbird told the audience the walk has exceeded expectations, “I’m proud to announce that we raised more than $31,000.”
“That number is still climbing, every dollar raised today will stay right here at this hospital and help our patients in Piscataquis County and the surrounding areas that access this Center,” she said.
Teams from the Kasprzak family, local community and businesses, and hospital all did a great job fundraising, Starbird said.
She said the top five fundraisers teams were Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union’s Walk ‘n Roll rebels, Martell-Trafton Tough, the SeDoMoCha Middle School field hockey team (much of the squad opted to run the 5K route), Piscataquis County Medical Group, and Grow a Pear Farm.
The top individuals are Amanda Thomas, Dr. David and Ellen McDermott, Jennifer McKenna, Reese Starbird, and Darcie Burch.
“We have finally reached event day but the fundraising does not stop,” Starbird said. “As Jane mentioned we are doing this again next year so please be prepared to see communications for that.”
Pledges can still be made for the next week-plus at https://northernlighthealth.org/WalkForHope.